Running Playlists

I did it!

I've officially registered for a half marathon in May.

I really wanted to do one before I turned 32, and this will be a month late, but it's close enough.

You may remember that I trained for one back in the fall. 

I did the training, but during the weekend of the event, Aleks and I went to Chicago. 

So, I haven't actually, officially ran a half marathon.

I'm excited and nervous and feeling a little crazy, but mostly motivated.

Training started yesterday and due to a week of winter storms, it's a bit snowy outside.

I don't mind the gym too much because training inside has its benefits. Namely the T.V.s that are built into the treadmills.

However, even that can get tiresome. I mean, a person can only watch Dance Moms for so long.

What I really need is some good music on a playlist.

But, I stopped listening to music around the time I graduated from college. My last well-loved CDs include John Mayer (pre-douche bag), Norah Jones, Jeff Buckley, and a compilation of greatest women jazz singers.

In the last 5 years this is what I've been listening to:

• Any music that I'm preparing for performance. This includes classical art song, opera, oratorio, and some musical theater. My favorite way to memorize is at the gym with the music in front of me and in my ear.
• Sirius radio: NPR and Met Opera Radio stations for pleasure. I also listen to the Broadway Station, but mostly as research, to acquaint myself with the repertoire and performance practices.
• Kids Place Live on Sirius, which actually has some really great music. Sometimes I'm driving by myself and have just reached my destination when I realize that I had Kids Place Live on the entire time.

Recently, I've been thinking about why I don't listen to music.

1. Since the birth of the iPod, listening to music seems too complicated. Buying and downloading from iTunes. Transferring it to my phone. The whole iCloud thing. Complicated. I miss the good old days of CDs. We do have a whole wall of CDs, but no sound system. And I have a MacBook Air (no CD drive). I do have an external CD slot thingy, but again, so many steps!

Aleks got a record player from his dad for Christmas and since then, I have been listening to records. It's incredibly gratifying to lower the needle onto a record and hear that slightly scratchy sound. I plan to add to our collection.

2. My ears are my work. After teaching, I desperately crave silence.

3. The kids. OMG. They are so loud. They never stop talking. When I put on a record they inevitably start playing with their musical toys and we get a Charles Ives-like environment. Then I want silence.

4. I think I'm on the HSP spectrum. Sounds can stress me out.

5. I don't really know what I should be listening to. And I have a hard time spending money on an album, when I might not like the whole thing. Actually I have a hard time spending money on music at all.

So, combined with training starting up and the acknowledgment that I am out of touch with the current musical culture, it's time to listen again. 

For fun.

I signed up for Spotify, so that'll help my frugal side when I'm at the computer. But for those running playlists, I need help. 

What should I be listening to?

On my list so far:

Mumford and Sons

Florence and the Machine

Lumineers

Fun

I want to revisit Marc Broussard

I'm embarrassed to admit, the Oscars was the first time I heard Adele sing. But from my understanding, she might not be the best workout music?

Please help. I'm clueless.

Tell me what your favorite, bad ass, motivational, lose-yourself-in-the-music, groove worthy albums are!

When I'm slooowly running 10 miles, I'll be ever so grateful.